The Fall of Gondolin | Final Version

[@lordofthehouseofstormcrows8615]

"...and his name, to this very day, is a terror amongst the goblin ranks and war cry to the Noldor!" "ECTHELION!!!"

[@MrSneaksful]

Highest kill count of any in middle earth that came before or after. Also killed the most Balrogs and Gothmog, lord of Balrogs. All Hail Ecthelion of the Fountain!!!

[@PankajYadav-rv5wv]

@@MrSneaksfulbro was a miar level monster

[@j.d.837]

Majestic. The Gondolin story is my favorite. This version is epic.

[@shogunmadness]

Totally agree. The moment Tuor looks upon Gondolin for the first time is described sublimely.

[@skillsmachine9164]

Love it too but I think the children of hurin is my favourite. The way he accidentally slew his best friend beleg, glaurong the dragon and his spells, hurin being in angband for 28 years, and Turin and his sister accidentally getting together. But Turin was also a badass

[@acharyajoydeep]

Such a majestic tale. Such a tragedy it was unfinished

[@koen2715]

It is so sad that the cousins, Tuor and Turin, did not know each other. They could've been great friends. And I think Tuor could've calmed the fire within Turin's heart. However maybe it is better for Turin to never have met Tuor, for his doom was ever upon him and it might've touched Tuor.

[@skillsmachine9164]

Was the doom and curse already on Tuor as well? He caused Meaglin to be jealous and give up gondalin's location...ending in its ruin. Hard to say, because he also had a son that moved things in the right direction.

[@VeteranVandal]

Turin had the eyes of Morgoth over him, while Tuor had Ulmo taking eyes off of him, in an interesting symmetry if you think about it.

[@GaryDuncanson-s4g]

No. The curse was given by Morgoth upon hurin and his children only. Huor and tuor were spared. Turgon loved hurin and huor and took them in and loved them before they left and sacrificed themselves to save his city in retreat. I expect Turgon was delighted that the son of one of the brothers had made his way to Gondolin under ulmos protection. A handsome man and idril fell for him.

[@BetterCallThall]

Can we please just have the collected works of Tolkien read by Ian McKellan? I'm putting that out into the universe. Please give this one energy lol

[@aedwardsss]

Since Christoper Lee can’t anymore 😭😭 Edit: I just bought the audiobook narrated by Lee. It exists!!

[@SpaldingFraser]

Phil Dragash is the man you want to read Tolkien's work. Listen to his LOTR, there's is nobody else who has the talent or vision required. He is the greatest story teller to have yet lived. IMO

[@BetterCallThall]

@@SpaldingFraser oh the dragash readings are my bread and butter, but I feel like a McKellen reading would be pure ASMR

[@MrKbonez]

No. Let's not have any more associations with the Jackson travesties

[@ethanielringer820]

@@SpaldingFraser Andy serkis is the only one who I’ll listen to that reads the hobbit

[@carolinebarnes6832]

I am so delighted to find this reading. I have read the Sillmarillion three or four times but many years ago now. These are pure archetypal energies which is why they are so engrossing and enchanting.

[@babadoom8972]

My favorite bits. 12:26 Tuor meets Gelmir and Arminas. 35:44 Tuor meets Ulmo. 47:06 Tuor meets Voronwe. 50:45 "There doom shall strive with the counsel of Ulmo" 01:07:34 Tuor and Voronwe see Turin, Tuor's cousin at the pools of Ivrin. 01:21:36 "Short is the sight of mortal men" 01:31:24 "Know you not whom you see?" 01:32:28 "This is strange in you, Voronwe."

[@paulgalligan1916]

So all of it 😆

[@liam_playz1724]

Thanks, i was looking for the Túrin part

[@grumpysorc3744]

Túrin's part is the most heartbreaking for me. There is no mercy for readers in the Silmarillion's circle of legends, and that's good.

[@corujabiruta3732]

You basically created chapters lol

[@johnries5593]

I really wish that Tolkien had finished this version. It is vastly better written than the original. PS: It should be noted that Tolkien abandoned the long form "Fall of Gondolin" long before his death. PPS: The lead-up to the interview with Ulmo, together with the interview itself does have the feel of an account of the calling of an Old Testament prophet that was no doubt very deliberate (the first two chapters of Ezekiel come to mind). And it is as a prophet that Tuor is sent to Gondolin, though (as is all too often the case) his message is rejected.

[@zeem2524]

I'm just now getting into these stories. I wasn't aware there was a longer version? Should I just read or listen to silmarillion?

[@rickythe2nd63]

Amen

[@ishmaelforester9825]

Through darkness one may come to the light... - Tolkien's Elves

[@andrewmacdonald5884]

Personally I love the original version. The fact that he wrote directly after surviving the horrors of trench warfare in WW1 makes it very interesting.

[@kiwicoproductions2828]

@@zeem2524I’ll help you out on this one, because I didn’t understand this either. They’re three versions of the Fall of Gondolin. The very first is the original tale written when Tolkien was on Military leave (literally out of his head in army barracks) in 1917. It’s actually the first of the “Great Tales” of the first age, the other two being Beren and Luthien and Children of Hurin. This version is the most complete and can be found in the book by Christopher Tolkien “the fall of Gondolin” which preserves its original form. It is definitely not as well written as his later work and has some mild inconsistencies, the Noldor are referred to as Gnomes and Melkor is Melko, but for the most part it’s canon. The second version is the shortened story you get in the Silmarrilion. Really not much to say, just a shortened account about Tuor and how he came to Gondolin and it’s fall. It’s rather condensed and reads more like a plot synopses. Then we come to the final version of this video, that was never finished. In Unfinished Tales, it’s referred to as “Of Tuor and his coming to Gondolin” because it ends literally right when he’s about to be granted entry. It’s an absolute travesty this was never finished because it’s basically the only Great Tale of the first age that never got a completed final version. Though, I have found a pdf online that compiles the old story and the new which makes it a fairly cohesive work. Anyway, enjoy!

[@veraduncanson7634]

The stories of the the two boys Turin and Tuor are very touching. It is likely when Tuor came to Gondolin that he learned from his report that the man he encountered was in fact his elder cousin. A terrible shame they never embraced.

[@sivanlevi3867]

This story is magical, fantastic and delightful to read and hear. I have heard of the Fall of Gondolin before, but to listen to this, the journey of Tuor, son of Huor, I realize the great complexity which I believe is the greatest aspect of Tolkien's world.

[@rio20d]

Ecthelion, I love this character :)

[@daf101]

I want to re-read the story, but time is so short. Thank you for making this!

[@daf101]

@@IkramVinsmoke That I don't have the time to read the Fall of Gondolin, so I'm glad to have this instead :)

[@daf101]

@@IkramVinsmoke LOL No, nothing like that.

[@deathtodwarves7523]

this is one of the biggest tragedy in Middle Earth

[@TheEyez187]

2nd biggest! The Amazon tragedy will cover Middle-Earth in a 2nd darkness!!

[@niladrighosh9903]

@@TheEyez187 would you stop already.

[@OOO_BARRACUDAAA]

The visuals I get while listening to this make me feel so much.

[@maelstrom2594]

Great story, I have the "Book of Lost Tales 2" version and it is written very differently. I tried to follow along and found it to be absolutely impossible. I think I need to get a copy of the Silmarillion just to read the other versions of these stories. I must admit that I quite often get confused with what is going on in some stories because the versions are so different.

[@andrewmacdonald5884]

Damn, that sucks. I love the Book of Lost Takes Fall of Gondolin story. The fact that he wrote it directly after surviving the horrors of trench warfare in WW1 makes it very interesting.

[@brettmuir5679]

This version is from "Unfinnished Tales". If fully worked out it could have become as long and wonderful as "The Children of Hurin"

[@keyboarddancers7751]

I don't understand how an entire universe can come out of one man's head!

[@tarnopol]

I doubt it will ever happen again. You have to be an expert in many things -- and willing to blow off your day job. There's no way to fake it. The only other fictions I can think of that even approach Tolkien are Dune and the Patrick O'Brian novels. JRRT was unique, I think; I'm just glad we have the books!

[@stefannordh2291]

@@tarnopol try Stephen R. Donaldson, The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant if you havent already, i like them very much. But Tolkien was unique, amazing books.

[@tarnopol]

@@stefannordh2291 Thanks! Never heard of that series but do seem to recall the author. I've been told Ringworld is good, too.

[@stefannordh2291]

@@tarnopol my pleasure....if you like Tolkien and that kind of world I can strongly recommend you to read those books, you wont be disappointed, promise. Haha i had to Google Ringworld, never heard of that book before, luckily i love sfi so im gona give it a try when i get a chance, so thanks to you too :D Cheers from Sweden :)

[@nillynush4899]

Many years, wizened through war, and a literal teacher of anglo language. Combine those things and a lot of time and effort, and you get Tolkien's LOTR. Apparently the "bible" of Middle Earth, the Silmarillion, was being written in the trenches of WWI. Not many fantasy writers have been to an actual war.

[@tomsawyer1648]

Just beyond an amazing story I can imagine Gondolin looking like a gorgeous paradise and the entire gate procedure is awesome .The most epic stories in the war with Morgoth , I truly hope some day we get to see a live action war of the jewels and everything between! I must see balrogs smash through the gates with thousands of orcs !

[@D2attemp]

1:07:32 Turin Turambar makes a cameo

[@tunguskalumberjack9987]

Always my favorite character in the Silmarillion- such a heart wrenching tragedy.

[@anthonyleal6289]

Recently found this channel it’s awesome

[@danielzilch1207]

"Go now back to the LAND!" said Ulmo to Tuor. Sounds like an Insult how he pronounced it 😄

[@dlucey123]

Thanks for sharing the final version, the full book was poorly received so I’m glad you picked a great version. J R R Tolkien has received a lot of criticism for unfinished and posthumously published works. In my opinion, Tolkien was very passionate about his works and only wanted them to be finished once he was happy with them. I’m sure it wasn’t easy to write a masterpiece like LOTR or the hobbit. I think he made the mistake of starting an immense task which he couldn’t bring together. The Silmarillion would have been far longer had it included the full story of the children of hurin, the fall of gondolin, fall of numenor. I haven’t read Christopher Tolkien’s other works so I’m not sure how much else there was to add. Also, he left his son to finish/write the ruin of doriath. I really hope something similar doesn’t happen to George R R Martin as it seems GOT will never be completed.

[@VeteranVandal]

Both versions cover the basic same things, but this version is a lot longer and a lot more detailed. There are lots of hints of his doom, relation with elves, with water, the interesting justaposition with Turin, etc. This is a better overall story.

[@GaryDuncanson-s4g]

The greatest story. The boys turin and tuor had such difficult lives. Such a great shame they never met.

[@Cross-xm2fr]

Gondolin guards must normally be bored as f

[@joshuafischer684]

Or they spent nearly every waking moment training for hundreds of years.

[@Usammityduzntafraidofanythin]

@@joshuafischer684 Wtf dude, it's not an anime

[@reinahbraun8729]

This is where men cried

[@chrissmith7669]

Crater lake drained of water is how I always envisioned Gondolin.

[@sacredheart9053]

This journey was exhausting!

[@blaxpoitation8528]

I need a nap just from envisioning this journey! These guys deserve Dr Scholl’s insoles

[@OOO_BARRACUDAAA]

@@blaxpoitation8528 yes.. agreed 😆

[@danbodger2814]

shut the lights, lay down, open your mind and listen. No need for television. No need for anything other than your own imagination. If I could put my thoughts to film this story would be the most epic movie of all time bar none.

[@thomasbrown8468]

Love this reading Thanks 🙏

[@ishmaelforester9825]

'Through darkness one may come to the light.'

[@Cross-xm2fr]

Tuor had it so much better than turin

[@paulgalligan1916]

What about Hurin 😆

[@razatronidiotics9430]

@@paulgalligan1916 true Hurin had to watch what his son went through including his son's death

[@kyledayton7829]

Well Tuor was blessed by Ulmo While Turin was cursed by Morgoth

[@danbodger2814]

Dagor Dagorath...he gets his

[@mariuslamprecht221]

It's so good it's my second time listening to it.

[@veraduncanson7634]

Ecthilion was a magnificent Elf Lord. But put in his rightful place by the lord of waters.

[@siamogranieri6869]

Is this the version in the recently published book? Or is it the final version given in HOME? Or are they one in the same?

[@mayalackman7581]

I'm not sure if it's in the new book but originally it was published in Unfinished Tales, not History of Middle Earth.

[@ElJayEmCee]

Always love new lord of the ring Chanel subscribed

[@Sindraug25]

Very well done. Thank you! It's a shame this version was not finished. But how do we proceed with the story from here? The early versions are so vastly different and can't be considered canon. So do we only have what's in the Silmarillion to finish the tale, or is there something else, such as in Unfinished Tales that we can go by?

[@ladyalaina42]

Lovely reading. But perplexes me the pages of description on scenery and Tolkien gives a paragraph on the fight of Glorfindel with the balrog and his death. Always disappointed with the short shrift.

[@johnries5593]

The original story (also included in "The Fall of Gondolin", as well as in the Lost Tales) describes it at length.

[@hydradominatus3641]

Ulmo is The Best!

[@meduseld6610]

Brilliant and complete version of this narrative, I bow low, Elf-friend. I have done something similar with the Beren and Luthien tale on my channel, although I included music and artwork to follow the story. I was hoping to do something of the same sort with the Fall of Gondolin too, but I had since come across your compilation and felt as though I would be treading on your toes by doing something all too similar. However, I've been asked to do it by somebody, and creatively speaking I would find it cathartic to get my ideas out of my head. I was wondering if you would give me your blessing first so I can feel more comfortable about the whole endevour. How would you feel?

[@SmithsCrhronicles]

i didnt know gondolin was formed on an ancient petrified tree stump

[@ace9924]

I wish Christopher lee could've done this audio book.

[@UncleFester84]

Tuor, the only Man to see a Valar.

[@jhb1493]

Earendil

[@UncleFester84]

@@jhb1493 Half-Man

[@l.briant3537]

Which book is this? Is it The Fall of Gondolin? Or is it a mishmash of different tellings of this story. It is such a shame the end was not finished

[@aaronekstrand758]

Great narration but this does not include the actual fall

[@markstephenson3411]

The reader keeps calling morgoth, Melko. Not Melkor! Really confusing for the first while. Had me wondering who the hell Melko was!

[@shelbyherring92]

Accent skill issue.

[@kell2859]

So do I need to listen to part 1 & 2 first or can I begin with this one??

[@DanIel-fl1vc]

The other parts cover the entire story but isn't as nicely written. This is nicely written but doesn't tell the whole story. That is why the other version of the story is in two parts. You could listen to this first and then part 2 to continue the story.

[@bread6832]

45:49

[@annemariaclarke]

♥️

[@demirmerve]

😍

[@unisonbeck5872]

1:23:57

[@tscrzydwg0316]

Black clover?

[@miraculouslyscatterbrained]

41:58

[@JohnnyRolemberg]

What do you mean it never happened? Wasn't the book The Fall of Gondolin released in 2018??

[@DanIel-fl1vc]

It was written in 1917, released in 2018.

[@JohnnyRolemberg]

Yes exactly, so isn't this the book you say it never happened? I'm confused haha

[@samstaton530]

50:21

[@miraculouslyscatterbrained]

58:30

[@samuelleask1132]

52:32